Goodbye Rec. 370 - Welcome Rec. 1546 - 2002 - Grosskopf

Goodbye Rec. 370 – Welcome Rec.
1546
LS Day 2002, Lichtenau
Rainer Grosskopf
Institut für Rundfunktechnik GmbH
© IRT R. Grosskopf 12 June 2002 1

Goodbye Recommendation ITU-R P.370
• Introduction
• Retrospect on Recommendation ITU-R P.370
• New Recommendation ITU-R P.1546 (former DNR P.[BLM])
• Comparison of Recommendation ITU-R P.1546 and
Recommendation ITU-R P.370
• Comparison with measurements
• Conclusion
© IRT R. Grosskopf Goodbye Rec. 370 – Welcome Rec. 1546 12 June 2002 2
Introduction
• Field strength prediction methods are needed for network

planning, e.g. for Revision of Stockholm 61
– Path specific methods (terrain data based)
• Still rather time consuming calculations
• No world-wide agreed method available (Broadcasting)
– Path general methods (ITU-Recs. 370, 1146, 529, 1546)
• Fast and easy to use
• Limited applicability
Introduction : Path general methods
• Various methods (Rec. 370, 529, 1146) for similar or even

identical applications gave different answers (confusing)
• ITU developed Rec. P.1546 to overcome known limitations
(e.g. frequency, distance range) and to combine the various
methods to one unique method
• One path general method for point-to-area predictions for
terrestrial services in the frequency range 30-3000 MHz
Retrospect on Recommendation P.370
• Rec. 370 existed for 50 years

• Several revisions - but the fundamental idea remained
– Propagation curves for
• effective transmitter heights (37.5 m – 1200 m)
• 10 m receiving antenna height (home reception)
• VHF and UHF range
• additional corrections based on terrain (∆h, TCA)
Retrospect on Recommendation P.370
Some shortcomings of Rec. 370

– Curves start at 10 km
– Gap between VHF (30 to 250 MHz) and
UHF (450 to 1000 MHz) range
– No curves for L-Band (1.5 GHz, T-DAB)
– Calculation of effective transmitting antenna height
– Recovery effect (unphysical) for mixed land sea paths
– Strange anomalies within set of curves
Unique method for point-to-area predictions for terrestrial

services in the frequency range 30 to 3000 MHz
• DNR P.[BLM] was adopted by the ITU-R Study Group 3 in
June 2001 (Doc. 3/45)
• Seeking approval amongst Member States in Doc. 3/BL/26
• Approved in October 2001
• Now it is Recommendation ITU-R P.1546
Extended range of applicability :

• All frequencies between 30 to 3000 MHz
• Distances between 1 to 1000 km
• All time percentages between 1% and 50%
• New curves for 10 m and 20 m transmitting antenna height h1
Application of Rec. P.1546 to yield unique results :

• Propagation curves are also provided in tabular form
• Formulas for interpolation and extrapolation of field strength
as a function of distance, frequency, transmitter height, time
percentage are given in Rec. P.1546
• Step-by-step procedure to determine field strength is specified
– e.g. order of interpolation
Overview of elements of Rec. P.1546 :

• Propagation curves for distance between 1 to 1000 km for :
– 100, 600, 2000 MHz
– 10, 20, 37.5, …. 1200 m transmitter height h1
– 1, 10, 50% of time
– Land, cold sea, warm sea, (hot sea ?)
• Interpolation and extrapolation possible
Transmitting antenna height h1 :

• Method takes account of “effective height” of the transmitting
antenna (heff as in Rec. 370)
• For distances d < 15 km the method also takes account of the
height of the transmitter above ground ha
• h1 to be used in calculations (in propagation curves)
h1 = ha for d ≤ 3 km
h1 = ha + (heff-ha)(d-3)/12 for 3 km < d < 15 km
h1 = heff for d ≥ 15 km
Transmitting antenna height h1 (mobile services):

• Where terrain information is available when propagation
predictions are being made, h1 is a function of distance
h1 = ha + (hb-ha) d/15 for d < 15 km
• hb is the height of the antenna above terrain height averaged
between 0.2 d and d km
• ha is antenna height above the ground cover in its vicinity
Transmitting antenna height h1 :

• Interpolation for 10 m < h1 < 1200 m is as in Rec. 370
• Extrapolation for h1 > 1200 m is as in Rec. 370
• Extrapolation for h1 < 10 m is nearly identical to Rec. 370
(except for sea paths)
• For sea paths the procedure requires the distance at which
the path has 0.6 of the first Fresnel zone just obstructed by
the sea surface
Reference receiving antenna height R (new concept):

• For land paths the curves give field-strength values for a
reference receiving antenna at a height R, representative of
the height of the ground cover surrounding the receiver
• Examples of reference heights are
– 30 m for a dense urban area
– 20 m for an urban area
– 10 m for a suburban area
Reference receiving antenna height R :

• If the receiving antenna height, h2, is different from R, a
correction should be added to the field strength taken from
the curve
– The correction depends on the ground cover
• The minimum value of R is 10 m (open areas)
• For sea paths the notional value of R is 10 m
Example for reference receiving antenna height R :

• Receiving antenna height h2 = 10 m in an urban area
• Correction of field strength Fcur taken from curve is necessary
f = 100 MHz
Fcur
h1 = 150 m
Frec d = 50 km
R=20 m
h2=10m Fcur = 58.3 dB

Frec = 53.0 dB
Example for reference receiving antenna height R :

• Receiving antenna height h2 = 10 m in rural area
• No correction of field strength Fcur taken from curve
f = 100 MHz
h1 = 150 m
Frec = Fcur
d = 50 km
h2=10m R=10 m Fcur = 58.3 dB

Frec = 58.3 dB
Terrain clearance angle (TCA) correction :

• Taking account of obstacles close to receiver site
TCA
R (m)
16 km
• Nearly identical to Rec. 370

– Improvement for line-of-sight case
Location variability
• refers to the spatial statistics of local ground cover variations
including multipath variations (no path variations)
• is typically quoted for an area of approximately 100m x 100m
• Multipath fading is frequency selective. Thus knowledge of

effective radio system bandwidth becomes important
• Field strength distribution due to ground cover variations over
such an area is approximately lognormal
Location variability :
• Nearly identical to Rec. 370 (broadcasting)
• Standard deviation for digital systems having a bandwidth
of 1 MHz or greater, σ = 5.5 dB for all frequencies
• Standard deviation for analogue systems depends on
frequency f
σ = K + 1.6 log(f) K = 5.1 for broadcasting

Mixed land-sea paths :

• New approach based on Recommendation ITU-R P.452
• Total path length over land dl is important
Emix(dtot) = Esea(dtot) – {Eland(dl) - Esea(dl)}
∆E = Emix(dtot) - Eland(dtot)
E = Eland(dtot) + ∆E * χ
χ - interpolation factor to take account of long-range
effect of land on propagation χ(α,β,dl, h1)
Comments on mixed land-sea path model :

• The original UK TG 3-2 model is simply Emix (α = 1)
• α = 0 applies the Rec. 452 “land” effect correction, except that
here the total path length dtot is used rather than the longest
contiguous land path length
• α in the range 0 to 1, depending on the desired “long range”
behaviour of the model
Applicable for all climatic regions of the world : new

• Curves are considered applicable in temperate climates
• Variation of field strength with distance is to a large extent
controlled by the vertical refractivity gradient
• Rec. 453 contains global database of the vertical refractivity
gradients dN in N-units/km in the lowest 65 m of the
atmosphere (in electronic form)
• The field strength curves of Rec. 1546 are considered to

represent reference values of gradient dN0 given by:
– dN0= - 43.3 N-units/km for 50% of time
• To adjust the field strength curves for a different radio-climatic
region of the world, calculate the difference in gradient ∆
given by: ∆ = dN0 - dN
∆ is used to adjust UHF Land 1% curves
curves for other 120
Tropical region
climatic regions:
100
Temperate climates
80
Field strength (dBuV/m)

Temperate climates 60
40
dN0 = -301.3 (t=1%) 20
Most extreme value

0
1 10 100 1000
-20
found in Rec. 453 -40

-60
dN = -1795 (t=1%) Distance (km)
Comparison of Rec. 1546 and Rec. 370
Obvious differences between Rec. 370 and Rec. 1546

which caused some discussions :
– Sea curves
– Mixed land-sea paths
Sea curves
Comparison of sea curves 600 MHz, Cold Sea, t=50%
for 600 MHz (Rec.1546) 120

100
and UHF (Rec. 370) : 80

60
40
20
Differences up to 20 dB 0
-20 1 10 100 1000
between Rec. 370 and -40
Rec. P.1546
Free space
Free space
-60 Rec. P.370
Rec. 1546 in the distance -80
Rec. P.370
range 10-50 km
Distance (km)
Sea curves
• The P.370 sea curves show a large variation in field strength

with effective transmitter height in the range from 10 to 50km
• Over this range of distance, even the lowest height antenna
has a line of sight path to the receiver, often without the first
Fresnel zone touching the surface
• It is extremely difficult to find a propagation mechanism for
these paths at 50% time that will give a 25 dB difference at
10 km between the 37.5 and 1200m high transmitter curves
as does in P.370
Sea curves
• The new Rec. 1546 sea curves are based on various

calculations using Recommendation ITU-R P.452, a point-to-
point prediction method taking into account physical effects
such as diffraction, troposcatter and ducting
• With increasing distance line of sight, diffraction and ultimately
troposcatter propagation is dominating (50% of time),
resulting in a “physical shape” of the new sea curves
Sea curves
• The smaller time percentage sea curves of P.1546 were

then constructed from blending together the short range
(1 to 50 km ) regions of the 50% lines with the existing
tails from P.370 ( 50 - 1000km)
• Thereby a consistent set of sea curves was derived
• This would then allow a mixed path model to be derived
that was not fatally flawed from the outset
Mixed land-sea paths
• Recommendation ITU-R P.370 :

– Approach is based on percentage of land and sea along
the propagation path
– Shows a recovery effect which becomes very pronounced
at higher frequencies
– The properties of this recovery effect are non-physical
• Recommendation ITU-R P.1546 :

– Based on the model of Recommendation ITU-R P.452
– Longest contiguous land path is important (duct may
break down over land)
– Avoids the recovery effect and is monotonic with range
– Follows the slope of the sea curve with an offset based
on the preceding land portion
Mixed path, 2 GHz, t=1%, h=37,5 m
120
100
80
60
40
20
Land Sea Land Sea
0
-20 1 Sea 10 100 1000
Land
-40
Rec. P.370
-60
Rec. P.1546
-80
see Doc. 3K/5
Distance (km)
19 December 2000
Comparison with measurements
• IRT did comparison of predictions with Rec. P.370 and

Rec. P.1546 with a dataset of profiles and measurements
from EBU Project Group B/TDP (Doc. 3K/6, 16 Jan 2001)
• B/TDP dataset contains 3364 profiles from 9 countries
– long distances
are not very
– low receiving antenna heights well
– upper part of the UHF range represented
– sea-paths and mixed land-sea paths
Comparison with measurements
Prediction error ∆E = Epredicted – Emeasured
Prediction method Mean prediction Standard Largest

error (dB) deviation (dB) error (dB)
ITU-Rec. P.370 7.0 15.0 76.5
... with TCA-correction 4.5 11.9 -70.2
ITU-Rec. P.1546 4.8 14.5 75.5
... with TCA-correction 2.8 11.5 -59.6
Conclusion
• A new Recommendation ITU-R P.1546 was developed

• It is a unique “Method for point-to-area predictions for
terrestrial services in the frequency range 30 to 3000 MHz”
• Rec. 1546 is based on approaches of former Recs. 370, 529
(Okumura/Hata), 1146 and of the point-to-point prediction
method Rec. 452
• Investigations show an improved prediction accuracy for
broadcasting applications
• Recommendation 370 does not exist any longer Good Bye
Conclusion
• Further testing of Rec. 1546 is necessary, in particular

for sea and mixed land-sea paths and for various climatic
regions of the world
• EBU Project Group B/TDP will develop a software of the
new Recommendation P.1546 for planning purposes
• This software should be the propagation software tool for
the revision of Stockholm 1961 (RRC in 2004/2006)
• Software should be available end 2002
Acknowledgement
• The author would like to thank the participants of

– ITU Working Party 3K
• in particular Eldon Haakinson/USA (former Chairman)
Ken Hunt/EBU (Subgroup Chairman)
– ITU Task Group 3-2
• in particular Paul McKenna/USA (Chairman)
David Bacon/UK, Ken Hunt/EBU (Vice Chairmen)

Goodbye Rec. 370 - Welcome Rec. 1546 - 2002 - Grosskopf

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Goodbye Rec. 370 – Welcome Rec.

© IRT R. Grosskopf 12 June 2002 1

• Field strength prediction methods are needed for network

• Various methods (Rec. 370, 529, 1146) for similar or even

• Rec. 370 existed for 50 years

Some shortcomings of Rec. 370

Unique method for point-to-area predictions for terrestrial

Extended range of applicability :

• New curves for 10 m and 20 m transmitting antenna height h1

Application of Rec. P.1546 to yield unique results :

Overview of elements of Rec. P.1546 :

Transmitting antenna height h1 :

Transmitting antenna height h1 (mobile services):

Transmitting antenna height h1 :

Reference receiving antenna height R (new concept):

Reference receiving antenna height R :

Example for reference receiving antenna height R :

h2=10m Fcur = 58.3 dB

Example for reference receiving antenna height R :

h2=10m R=10 m Fcur = 58.3 dB

Terrain clearance angle (TCA) correction :

• Nearly identical to Rec. 370

• Multipath fading is frequency selective. Thus knowledge of

σ = K + 1.6 log(f) K = 5.1 for broadcasting

Mixed land-sea paths :

Comments on mixed land-sea path model :

Applicable for all climatic regions of the world : new

• The field strength curves of Rec. 1546 are considered to

Field strength (dBuV/m)

Most extreme value

found in Rec. 453 -40

dN = -1795 (t=1%) Distance (km)

Obvious differences between Rec. 370 and Rec. 1546

Comparison of sea curves 600 MHz, Cold Sea, t=50%

for 600 MHz (Rec.1546) 120

and UHF (Rec. 370) : 80

Field strength (dBuV/m)

• The P.370 sea curves show a large variation in field strength

• The new Rec. 1546 sea curves are based on various

• The smaller time percentage sea curves of P.1546 were

• Recommendation ITU-R P.370 :

• Recommendation ITU-R P.1546 :

• IRT did comparison of predictions with Rec. P.370 and

Prediction error ∆E = Epredicted – Emeasured

Prediction method Mean prediction Standard Largest

• A new Recommendation ITU-R P.1546 was developed

• Further testing of Rec. 1546 is necessary, in particular

• The author would like to thank the participants of

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